COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a press release today, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine unveiled a comprehensive plan to support Springfield and Clark County, which are experiencing increased strain on their healthcare and public safety systems due to a surge in Haitian migrants.
The governor’s new initiatives include a $2.5 million investment aimed at expanding primary care services in Springfield. This funding is designed to help local healthcare providers manage the increased demand and address the specific needs of Haitian migrants, who often arrive with limited prior medical care and vaccinations. The Ohio Department of Health will work closely with the Clark County Health Department and other local partners to implement these enhancements.
In response to growing traffic safety concerns, Governor DeWine has also instructed the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) to increase enforcement in Springfield. Starting tomorrow, OSHP troopers will be deployed to high-crash areas to enhance patrols and enforce traffic laws, aiming to reduce dangerous driving behaviors.
These new measures build upon existing state support efforts, which include:
- The establishment of a school-based health clinic within the Springfield City School District to provide better primary care for students and their families.
- Expansion of vaccination and health screening services through the Clark County Health Department.
- Additional funding for translation services via the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services.
- Financial support for English language education for Haitian migrants at Clark State College.
- Provision of driving simulators and targeted driver education classes for the Haitian community.
- Enhanced collaboration with Springfield School District to optimize resources for migrant students.
In his press release, Governor DeWine also called for federal intervention to assist communities affected by the migrant surge. He highlighted the broader impacts on local residents, including longer wait times for medical care, increased traffic congestion, and overcrowded classrooms. “The federal government needs to provide financial assistance to these communities,” DeWine stated. “There is currently no federal plan to address these issues, and no indication that one will be forthcoming soon.”